Wrapping and sealing machine.



M. B. FERGUSON.

WHAPPING AND SEALING MACHINE. APPLICATION man rss. 9, 191|.

1,187,055, Patented June 13, 1916.

8 SHEETS-SHEET 1- 13a jjj 1a @my By M i nnfvs M. B. FERGUSON. WRAPPING AND SEALING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED FEE. 9. I9II Patented J une 13, 1916.

8 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

INVENTOR WITNESSES l ATTORNEYS M. B. FERGUSN. WHAPPING AND SEALING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 9. IBII 8 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

Patented J line 13, 1916.

III

M. B. FERGUSON.

WRAPPING AND SEALING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 9. 1911.

1,187,055. Patented June 13, 1916.

8 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

WITNESSES :l INVENTOR .wf77wr d 46 ATmnNEvs M. B. FERGUSON. WRPPIMG AND SEALNG MACHINE. Prucmon min fists. Isn.

` inv-Emmi i P Patented J :me 13, 1916.

.D w o, m 7 N 8 H l w 1 mmfvs MKM M M. B. FERGUSN.

WRAPPIIIG MIU SEALIIIG MACHINE.

nrruclmol msn fn. s. Isn.

1 ,1 87,055. mama June 13, 19m

l SHEETS-SHEET .L

M. B. FERGUSON.

W'BAPFIBG AID SEALIIG MACHINE.

AFFLICIIDI ULEB FEI- S ISH.

WWNESSES and combinations MILFQBCD B. FERGUSON, MENTS, T0 PACKAGE A CORPORATION DF MASSACHUSETTS.

OF BROOKLYN, NEW YORK, MACHINERY COMPANY, 0F SPRINGFIELD, MASSACHUSETTS,

ASSIGNCR, BY MESNE ASSIGN- WRAPPING AND SEALING momma.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented June 13, 1916.

Application led February 9, 1911. Serial No. 807,592.

To all whom t may concern.'

Be it known that I, Minr'onn B. FERGU- soN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Brookl n, county of Kings, and State of New Yor have invented certain new and useful Improvements in lVrapping and Sealin Machines, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description.

This invention relates to Wrapping and sealing machines for wrapping and sealing articles to exclude moisture, dust, etc. For such purpose articles are wrapped in paper or similar fabric impregnated with a readily fusible substance which is impervious to moisture, such as paraiiin, and the flaps or overlapping parts of the wrapper are then sealed together by the application of heat and pressure. This application melts the wax and causes the overlapping parts to adhere, so that the wrapper 1s elfectually sealed and the contents thereof thereby protected from dampness.

The object of this invention is to provide a simple and effective apparatus for performing the wrapping operation and for heat and pressure applying the necessary to the wrapped articles to eifectually seal the same.

To this and other ends the invention consists in the novel features of constructions of elements hereinafter described and more particularly set forth in the claims.

In carrying out the invention in the preferred manner I provide a suitable conveyer for delivering the articles to be wrapped to the Wrafpping machine which consists preferably o a conveyer belt passing over a suitable platform or support and pulleys said platform having sides thereon the width between said sides being substantially equal to the length of the articles to be wrapped. The artlcle then passes from the conve er to a package chute whose width andY horizontal length are substantiall e ual to the width and length respective y di the package. This chute is adapted to receive a number of packages and should the conveyer feed them to the machine at a rate faster than the wrapping can take place no deleterious effects result, as I provide means for preventing too many packages from entering the chute and also to accurately position the packages therein.

From the lower part of the chute the packageis pushed forwardly on a suitable slide by means of a suitable pushing device to a tumble box.

Located between the pusher and the tumn ble box and above both is a means for feeding the wrapping paper in front of the article to be wrapped. As the article passes from the pusher to the tumble box it carries the wrapping paper before it, the paper being fed from a roll located at the top of the machine and suitable means being provided between the roll and the pusher and tumble box for cutting the wrapper into suitable lengths. The tumble box has means thereon for pressing a side portion of the projecting paper toward the article. This element not only serves the function just mentioned but serves in combination with other elementsto grip the package and transfer the same to a point diametrically opposite to the point at which it receives the package the tumble box being mounted on a shaft and describing an are of a circle with the shaft as the center thereof. In describin this arc which is a semi-circle the third side o f the package is covered with the wra ping paper during the transfer of the paoliage through this semi-circle, it being understood t at part of the first side, the second side and the third side are covered in transferring the package from the package chute to the tumble box. From the tumble box the package is transferred to a means for pressing and overlapping the projecting ends of the paper after which the same passes under a sealin device and the flaps are sealed thereby. n this Way the article is neatly wrapped and hermetlcally sealed in a moisture roof wrapper which effectually excludes ampness, dust and other impurities and preserves the contents in a clean and sanitary condition.

As a matter of convenience I will refer to the front of the machine and the rear of the machine. It is to be understood therefore that the end of the machine to which the packages are fed is the front and the place where they issue will be termed the rear.

A simple and convenient embodiment of my machine thus briefly outlined is illustrated in the annexed drawings, and referring now thereto wherein like reference characters refer to the same parts in all the views, Figure 1 is a side view with fparts broken away to show certain details o c n struction. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section. Fig. 3 is a sectional plan vlew taken on the line III-III of Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a plan view of the conveyer and the novel means accurately positioning the packages into the' shown in Fig. 7. Fig. 9 is a view similar to Vin different relative positions.

Fig. 8 with the operative parts in a different position. Fi 10 is an enlarged view of the pusher an a portion of the tumble box, the package just entering the latter. Fig. 11 is a view similar to Fig. 10 with the package completely in the tumble box. Fig. 12 is an enlarged view of the tumble box in a diametrically opposite position from that shown in Fig. 11 and in position to transfer the packageto the means for folding the ilaps at the ends thereof. Fig. 13 is a similar view of Fig. 12 with the parts Fig. 14 is a side view of the complete means for making the folds at the ends of the package together with a same view of the sealing means and the tumble box, the latter being shown in the act of transferring a packa e Vto the folding means. The forward pac age is just about to pass under the sealinv device. Figs. 15 and 16 show side views o the sealing device and associated elements with the package in Jdifferent positions from that shown in Fig. 14. Fig. 16 shows the package issuing from the machine. Fig. 17 1s a view taken on the line :v -w of Fig. 14 looking in the direction of the arrows. Fig. 18y is a view taken on the line y-y of Fig. 14 looking 'in the direction of the arrows. Fig. 19 1s a view on line e-s of Fig.

15 looking in the direction of the arrc ws.

Referring now to the drawings in ,detail the reference numeral 1 indicates a suitable frame u on which the various elements of my mac ine are suplported. The frame 1 has a suitable top 2 c early shown in Fig. 3. From the top 2, and from substantially the corners thereof, four standards 3, roject upwardly therefrom and support a ame 4 upon which is mounted a part ofthe mechanism.

Reference numeral 5 indicates a suitable latform over the bottom of which passes a belt conveyer 6 the latter passing over the pulley 57. The platform 5 is provided with sides which are adapted to properly guide the packages when urged forward by the conveyer belt 6 it being understood that the packages are placed, either manually or mechanicall upon the latter. From the latform 5 t e packages are fed to a pac age Vchute 8. This chute is supported vertically on the top 2 and is adapted to retain several packages. Doors 8 are provided to permit the removal of packages if needs be. It will be noted that the conveyor belt does not extend as far as the top of the receptacle but it will be understood that the packages after leaving the belt are urged along by means of the packages at the rear thereof and on the conveyer belt.

Novel means, to be described later, are provided at the bottom of the receptacle for removing the packages. The mechanism can be so arranged that the packages will be fed to the chute at the to 1nY proportion to the rapidity with which t ey are removed from the bottom thereof. Should, however, the packages be fed faster to the top of the chute than the can be removed at the bottom no harm wi l result as novel mechanism is provided to feed them to the `chute just as fast as they are taken from it. It will be observed therefore that it is well to adjust the necessary mechanism so as to feed them up to the receptacle just a little faster than they are disposed of. Projecting downwardly from the frame Work 4 is a suitable support 9 to which is pivotally mounted at 10 a member 11 and just below the pivot 10 on the same support is another pivot 12 on which is mounted a member 13. These members and associated mechanism constitute what I prefer to call a vertical pusher. The members 11 and 13 are connected at the front ends thereof to a common member 14. Passing through the member 14 and rigidl connected at 15 to arm 13 is a shaft 16 Wit a stop member 17 rigidl Aconnected at 18 and 19 to said shaft 16. o the member 11 'and near the pivotal point 10 is pivoted at 20 a vertically reciprocating rod 21. It will therefore be noted that when the rod 21 is pushed u wardly by means of mechanism to e descri ed later that the bottom portion of the stop member 17 will always be in a horizontal position and adapted to .press upon the entire u per surface of the package when forced own by means of the compression sprng 22.` It necessarily follows therefore, the part 23 of the stop being at right angles to the portion 17, that the said part 23 is always'in a vertical position. The portion 23 revents the advance of the succeeding pac ages while the part 17 is pressing on the upper package in the chute to force all the packa es therein downwardly after the removal o the lowermost package therefrom.` As soon as the member 17 is raised by means of the rod 21 it will be clear that a package will be advanced under the said member in position to enter the chute as soon as the lowermost packa e therein has been removed therefrom and t e pusher returned to its normal position. It

will thus be seen that each time the pusher operates to advance the lowermost package, the member 17 will be raised to allow a package to advance into proper position to enter the chute. The mechanism for bringing about this alternate action is about to be described.

With regard to the platform upon which the feed belt is operated as well as the feed belt itself and the chute, particular attention is called to the offsetting of the chute from the feed mechanism as clearly shown in Fig. 4. In constructing this device and all similar devices where the feed mechanism is in alinement with the chute a very serious obw stacie is encountered especially in pasteM board or similar packages having flaps or similar projections at the ends thereof. There they are in alinement the fiaps on the packages which are on the platform invariably engage under the iiaps on the upper package of the chute thereby causing them to become entangled and makes the feed irregular and quite frequently causing tearing of the flaps. In my device by offsetting the feed from the chute this objection is completely avoided. This is quite important not only from an eiiciency but from a commercial standpoint as well.

The feeding from the conveyer to the chute is accomplished by expanding one side of the plaform 5 as shown at fr in Fig. 4 and in providing an inclination at the upf per end and on. the opposite side of the chute indicated at L, substantially parallel to he part fifi It will therefore he rippen-ent i s 'the package is being fed from t er to the chute, it wili be moved lr and the objection, above referred io, avoided.

To the main or driving shaft 24 of the machine is rigidly attached a driving pulley 25 connecting to some source of power. Upon this shaft is mounted an eccentric 26 (see Figs. l, 2 and 5) having an eccentric disk 27 and usual ring 28. A stem 29 (see Fig. .extends rearwardly from the eccentric and engages a lever 30 pivoted at its lower end at 31 te the supporting frame 1 and pivoted at its upper end to a link 32 the latter in turn having a pivotai connec-l tion to extensions 34 of the pusher 33. The twdhollow extensions 34 are adapted to reccne rods 35, which guide the pusher in its reciprocatory action, and which are adapted to be received in hollow projections 33 and 37 extending upwardly from the topk2. Set screws 33 are provided in proections 36 and 37 to maintain the rods 35 in proper position and of course allows the rods. and in consequence thereof the pusher 33, to be readily removed. As shown the pusher has a forward and rearward slide on the rods and as viewed in Fig. 2 it is at its rearmost position. On the shaft 24 is mounted a second eccentric 39. The construction of this eccentric is somewhat different from that of eccentric 26. The eccentric 39 comprises disk 40 having the eccentric slot 41, which is adapted to receive a projection 42 from the lever 43, the projection 42 being preferably provided with an antifriction roller. The lever 43 has a forked end adapted to engage over the shaft 24 similar to the forked lever 118 described below with reference to cam 116 and shown in Fig. 7. This lever 43 extends rearwardly und is connected at 44, with a lost motion connaction.` flue end of the lever rthis lever if; connected pivotally at its other end and ,ls eilapted to have. an oscillating movement on this pivot. To this same pivot is connected one end of a lever 46 the other end of the same being connected to the rod 21 above described. The levers 45 and 4G are supported by the lug 47 (see Fig. 6) projecting downwardly from the top 2 of the supporting frame. On the lever is a screw-threaded lug 48 adapted to receive an adjustment screw 49 which engages in the depression 50 and urges the lever 4G together with rod 21 upwardly when the eccentric lever 43 is forced forwardiy by means of its eccentric disk 40.` rEhe adjust ing of the screw, as will obviousiy be understood causes the member 17 to be raised more or less. which is quite frequentiy necessary. it may not be amiss to state here that the package in the chute which is next in the iowest onel is prevented from tak' position owing to the fact that on the top of the pusher, the s: smooth flat top1 as soon as the icwcr been removed. The package will dr when the pusher has been completely tracted.

The drivilne,r shaft 24 upon which the cams 26 and 39 are mounted has also nionnted thereon a puliey 5&1. This puiley is connected to the puiley 52 by means of a driv ing belt 53. Upon the shaft of the ist rigidly nicunled a pinion 54 said i.. meshing with and operating a gear se. 55 is mounted upon a shaft 56 to w rigidly connected pulley or drum or other equivalent device for operating the feed belt 6. Suitably mounted upon the frame 4 is a drum 58 upon which is wound a roll of paper or similar fabric 59, paraffined waxed or impregnated with any readily fusible material which is impervious to moisture, and such that when heated will melt and when subsequently cooled will corrA geel and cause adhere. This paper in passing from the drum, on which it is wound, passes over and between feed rolls or feed drums and 6l (see Fig. 2) these drums being mounted on shafts 62 and 63. Mechanism 64 is provided the overlapping pgpjjms t0 f' to take up any undue slack in the paper that may exist between the drum 60 and the main drum 58.

Upon the shaft 62 is mounted a gear 65 meshing with a gear 66 located upon one end of the shaft 63, while at the other end of this shaft 63 is a caln 68 (see Fig. 2) which operates the lever 69 and the arm 70. The said lever 69 is pivoted at one end of frame 4 and when actuated by cam 68 the said lever is depressed and operates arm 71. The latter is connected to a lever 72, mounted upon a shaft 73, and when depressed the arms 74 of the said lever 72 operate a knife 75 which cuts oil' portions of the paper or fabric at suitable and predetermined intervals.

The construction of the knife per se is an old one and is a part of my invention in so far as it affects the novel structural combinations and arrangements of parts. The arm referred to supra as being connected to the cam 68, has at the other end thereof a pawl 7 6 which'engages a ratchet 77 mounted upon one end of a shaft 78 over which the paper is fed after leaving the drums 60 and 61. Rigidly mounted upon the other end of the shaft 78 is a sprocket wheel 79 over which a sprocket chain 80 passes, said chain passing over a companion sprocket `wheel 81. An idler 82 is suitably located to take up any slack in said chain. Adjacent to the sprocket wheel 81 is a gear 83 mounted upon the same shaft 84 and operating therewith. Gear 83 meshes with ear 85 which is mounted upon a shaft 86 see Fig. 2) the latter being rigidly connected to drum 87. Drum 88 has a rotary motion with respect to its shaft 84. Upon the ends opposite to the gears 83 and 85 are two intermeshing gears (not shown) which cause the rubber drums to revolve 1n synchronism. The paper or fabric after leaving drum 78 then passes rearwardly over the guide 89 and downwardly between the drums 87 and 88. From the latter the paper passes between suitable guides 90, constituting a part of the knife referred to above, and extends down sub stantially flush with or even below the frame 2 and in the path of the pusher 33. Over the sprocket wheel 67 is mounted a sprocket chain 91 passing over an idler 92 supported upon the framework 4, and thence over another sprocket wheel 93 which is mounted upon the driving shaft 24 and im arts motion to the feeding mechanism an the cutting means just described.

J ournaled u on the top 2 at 94 and 95 is a shaft 96. pon the latter is sleeved an enlarged portion 97 carrying buffers 98 for a purpose to be described later. A pair of rods or slides 99 pass through the center of the sleeve 97 and shaft 96 having a limited sliding motion therein. These rods are arranged at right angles to similar rods 100. Upon the ends of these pairs of rods are mounted "receivers or plates 101 for the packages., Each member 101 carries two end tuckers 102 provided for the purpose of tucking against the opposite ends of the package parts of the end extensions of the wrapper. The sleeve has four pairs of arms or jaws 103 and between each pair of jaws two spring pressed plates 104 (see Fig. 7) are mounted and form with the plate 101 a pocket for the reception of a package with a wrapper partially folded about it. These plates 104 grip the package and form the sides of the pocket while the plate 101 forms the bottom of the pocket. This part which carries the pockets and is commonly termed the tumble box has such connections with the operating shaft of the machine as will give it a step by step movement, each step amounting to exactly one quarter revolution of the tumble box and the shaft 96 upon which it is mounted. This step by step movement is communicated to the tumble box b the interpositioning between the driving sha t and the shaft 96 of the common Geneva movement. Upon the driving shaft 24 just back of the Sprocket wheel 93 (Fig. 1) is another sprocketv wheel 105 having the sprocket chain 106, the latter passing over another sprocket wheel 107 rigidly mounted upona short shaft 108. Upon the shaft 108 is mounted the means for giving a rotary step movement to the gear wheel 109. This means comprises a crank arm having a rojection 110` on the end thereof adapte to enter grooves 111. A continuous counterclockwise movement (Fig. 1) is imparted to the arm through the connections heretofore mentioned. The projection on the arm engaging the groove 111 each time it makes a revolution, gives a slight movement to the gear 109 upon which the grooves are cut. A groove 112 is cut in the circumference of the portions 113 defined by the aforesaid grooves, and this groove is the arc of a circle whose radius is equal to the radius ofthe circle of which the outer portion of the projecting lug 114 is an arc. This lug 114 therefore is so constructed that the same will engage with the groove 112 and lock the gear wheel against movement from the time the projection 110 leaves one groove 111 until it engages the next.` As soon as the projection 110 engages the next groove 111 the A of the tum le box to a receiver which com- 13o `above the same on each si pletes the folding of the paper` around the package, and this receiver comprises, inter alia., a means for iinall sealing the paper to the packages. Toftiie driving shaft is mounted a third cam 116 having the cam groove 117, (see Fig. 7), and a cam lever 118 having thereon a suitable projection 119 entering the groove 117. The lever 118 has a pin and slot connection to a projection 120 extending downwardly from a doublearmed lever 121- the individual arms thereof being designated by numerals, 122 and 123. (See Fig. 5.) To the to 2 and located de of the tumble box and suitably supported are rods 124. Corresponding rods 125 are attached to the top 2 below the same and in a vertical plane with rods 124. Fingers 126 each having two eyes are slidably mounted on these rods, said fingers being connected to the arms 122 and 123 by means of links 127. These fingers are adapted to engage behind the package holders ard urge them forward out of the pockets into the receiver, this forward movement of the holders being permitted because they are mounted on the rods 99 which have a limited sliding movement relative to their supports, namely, the shaft 96 and sleeve 97.

Vi'lith reference to Fig. 14 the reference numeral 128 designates what I have chosen to call a receiver or folding chute. 1t is unnecessary to state that the inner dimensions of this receiver are substantially the same as the package fed to it. A horizontal slit 129 (Figs: 7, 12, 13), open where the package enters the receiver is adapted to receive the upper flap 130 of the wra per. Another slit 131 inclined upwardly is a` .apted to receive the iap 132. lt will be noted that the slit 129 being horizontal simply affords a passage for the upper Hap 130; but owing to the incline to slit 131 the iowcr flap 132 will be neatly folded against the end of the package. Just beyond the point where slot 132 joins slot 129 the latter turns downwardly. The flap 130 proceeding downwardly in this slit 133 is foided against the package but over the flap 132. Upon the receiver is suitably mounted a standard 134. Upon this standard is pivoted a bell crank arm 145. 0n that part of the arm which projects downwardly, and on the front side thereof, is a facing of friction material 135, such as leather which cooperates with a like facing 136 on one of the jaws of the pockets, to take out any wrinkles in the last lap of the paper, the part 135 being urged against the material 136 by means of a spring 137 connected to a portion at substantially right an les to the downwardly projecting portion. he spring is properly tensioned for the purpose.

Having described the machine in detail as briefly as the structure permits the opera- `tion of the same and different steps in wrapping the packages is as follows: motion 1n the directlon of the arrow, being communicated to the drive wheel 25 mounted upon the driving shaft 24 from any suitable source of power, will be transmitted, by cams 26, 40 and 116, by sprocket wheels 93 and 105, and by pulley 5l to the divers parts of the machine. The motion of the pulley 51 is transmitted to pulley 52. The motion of this last mentioned pulley is in turn transmitted to the pulleys 57 by means of the pinion 54 and gear 55. Upon the pulley or drum 57 the feed belt 6 is mounted, another similar pulley, not shown, being arranged at. the other end of the support board 5 over which said belt operates. The packages are fed onto the belt one after the other by any suitable means, manually or mechanically. These packages are conveyed by the belt to the chute. 8 but it wiil be noted that the belt does not extend entirely u to the receptacle, the packages bein de ivered from the belt to a smooth plat orm 5 from whence they are urged by the force of the succeeding packages into position to enter the package chute 8 which as clearly described in connection with Fig. 4 is offset somewhat from the feeding mechanism. In the position of the parts shown in Fig. 1 the pusher 33 is just in the act of removing the lowermost package from the receptacle 8 the said package resting upon a raised portion 13 the part 139 while being separated slightly therefrom for an obvious purpose, is nothing more than a continuation of the portion 138. This removal is e'ected by means of the cam 26 lever 29 directly connected to said cam, lever 30 and link 32, the latter being connected to the tubular extension 34 which integral with the pusher. Simultaneous with the forward movement of the ylever 29, or nearly so, is 4the' rearward movement of the lever 43 connected to lever 45, the latter being connected with the member 11 through the rod 21 and lever 46. This rearward movement, therefore, of the lever 43 raises the member 11 and its asciated mechanism just high enough to allow a package to enter the package chute, it being understood that the forward part of the package chute at this point projects high enough to form a stop in order to arrest further horizontal movement of the foremost package. The cam is so constructed that 'the member is held in its u per position thereby for a certain and defiiiite duration of time when the same is allowed, through the member 17, to press by means of the spring 22 upon the uppermost package to insure the downward travel of all the packages in the chute.

Tt wili be observed that the cam does not pull the member downward owing to the lost by means of the belt 53 `projects downwardly between the motion connection between the levers 45 and 46. While the usher is urging the package lowermost in tiie chute from the latter to the tumble box, the cam 68 simultaneously begins to oscillate upon the lever 69 to bring the knife into action for cutting off a predetermined length of the wrappin paper which has been reviously fed in t e path of the package, t e lever 69 being connected to said knife through rod mounted upon shaft 73. The length of the wrapper depends upon the gears used and also upon the hei ht of the knife.

The paper is ed, of course, at intervals and the operation of this feed mechanism is as follows: `Power is communicated to the s rocket wheel 67 by means of the sprocket chain 91 and sprocket wheel 93 the latter, as stated above being rigidly connected to and operated by the drivin shaft 24. The rotary motion of the sproc et ear 67 converts, by means of the cam 68 an also b means of the arm and pawl 70, 76, the ratc et gear 77 into a step by step movement. Ratchet ear 77 being mounted upon one end of the shaft 78, the latter has a similar movement. Upon the o posite end of the shaft is mounted a sproc et wheel 79 whose ratio to the ratchet wheel is about 2 to 1. Over the sprocket wheel 79 is run a sprocket chain to another sprocket gear 81 having a ratio of about 1 to 2 to gear 79. Gear 81 is mounted adjacent to gear 83 which has a ratio to the former of about 3 to 1. It will therefore be observed that as reciprocatory motion is imparted to the arm and pawl 76 a slight rotation of the Vratchet gear 77, owin to the ratio of the respective gears, a su stantial rotation is given to the gear 85. The ratio should be such that at each step a quantity of paper will ben fed the length whichd will be substantially the distance between the lmife and the frame. The strip of paper beingefed in front of the package as ]ust descri d, the usher in advancing it to the tumble box will cause the front side of the package to engage the paper and carry the same along. About the time the paper is engaged by the package the cutting action takes place. Inasmuch as the paper ortions 138 and 139 substantially one hal of the lower side of the packa will be covered with the pa er or fabric see Figs. 7, 10, and 11). For t e sake of convenience this side will be called, the first side, the rear portion, the second side, and so on. A swinging portion 140 is mounted to stretch and guide the paper wra per as the package carries it into the tumb e box. When the acka e is nally positioned between the resilient i ates 104 on the jaws, the wrapper will be lded about three sides of the package. Also the projecting ends of the wrapper on the second side will be tucked against the end of the 71 and lever 72 ferred from the tumble box to the receiver.

It may be mentioned that the fourth side of the package is covered by the wra per as it comes into contact with the mem er 135 on the bell crank arm 145. The lower, or first side of the package is now the u per, and the front has assumed the rear an vice versa.y The remaining portion of the wrapper is projecting upwardly and is gently pinched between the members 135 and 136 so that it is stretched tightly over the package. Now it is evident that when this comes into contact with the up er end of the receiver the saine will be ibrced down upon the first side and will overlap somewhat the part of the wrapper already on that side. At the same time that this portion is being forced down on the first side the projecting ends of the third side are forced against the ends of the package by means of the tuckers 141 of the receiver. The end tuckers 102 at o posite ends of thel plate 101 which forms t e bottom of the pocket in the tumble box hold the first air of end tucks in their folded ositions wliiile the package is being ejected rom the tumble box into the folding chute or receiver as indicatedin Figs. 7 8 and 9, so that these tucks are always un er control of some tucking or folding device and have no opportunity to move out of their folded positions.

The method of folding the upper and lower fiaps 130 and 132 has been set forth above and further elucidation seems quite unnecessary. It may be added however that the part 142 which folds down the flap 130 is a part of the sealing means comprising a steam chamber 143 and with an inlet pipe 144 and an outlet pipe 144. The art 142 therefore is heated by the steam su ciently to melt the wax which subsequently congeals and seals the wrapper. The post 147 allows the said sealing means to be positioned clear of the package. It ma also be stated that the pusher 33 has not ing to do with the reciprocation of the rods 99 upon which the members 101 are mounted; at least if the pusher does move either pair it is simply accidental as they are moved ositvely by the fingers 126 and associatedp mechanism. Of course the usher starts on its forward movement simu taneously with the fingers.

The operation of the various parts and mechanisms having been explained it seems unnecessary to further probe into details. Suffice to say that practical use of the invention, as embodied in the apparatus illustrated herein, has demonstrated its effectiveness for the purpose sought.

The invention is articularl useful for sealing articles whici are to e protected from bacterial contamination, for example toilet and surgical soap, and especially ackages and cartons containing cereal oods which depend largely upon a condition of crispness for their palatability, though the invention is of course in no Way limited to the purposes just mentioned. Nor is the invention limited to the precise form and arrangement of parts herein specifically described, being capable of embodiment in various forms Without departure from its proper scope as defined by the appended claims.

lVhat I claim is:

1. In a wrapping machine, the combination of a package chute, means for feeding a series of packages to said chute, each package pushing the one in advance of it into the chute, said chute being offset with relation to said means and said means including a guidevvay for the packages having a diagonal portion adjacent to said chute Whereby cach package is moved out of alinement with the others in the guidevvay as it is pushed into .said chute.

2. ln a wrapping machine, the combination of a package chute and means for guiding packages to said chute, said means and chute b'eing laterally odset with relation to each other whereby each package must be moved into a laterally oiiset position with relation to its companions as it is moved into said chute.

vin an apparatus for Wrapping and sealing packages, the conbination of a conveyer, a package chiite for receiving the packages from the conveyer, a vertical pusher associated with the conveyer and package chiite for properly feeding the packages to and through the package chute comprising a. bracket, a pusher lever ivoted'to said bracket, a member below said lever, similar thereto and pivoted `also to said bracket, means connecting the lever and member together, means associated with the last mentioned means in such Way as to always be in a horizontal direction for pressing upon the entire upper surface of the uppermost package in the chute, and means for raising the 'vertical pusher.

i. In a Wrapping machine, the combination of a conveyer for packages, a package chiite positioned adjacent to the end of said conveyer, said chute being offset with relation to the conveyer, and a diagr nal guidevvay between the conveyer and chute through which the packages are pushed in an odset relationship to each other as they are carried into said chute.

5. In a wrapping machine, a tumble box having a pocket constructed to receive a package with a wrapper lpartially folded about it, a plate forming a movable bottom for said tumble box, a slide supporting said plate and mounted to reciprocate in the tumble box to enable the plate to be moved in the direction of the depth of the ocket and tWo end tuckers carried by said p ate.

6. In a Wrapping machine, the combination with a tumble box having a pocket constructed to receive a package with a Wrapper partially folded about it, of tuckers positioned at the opposite ends of said pocket and operative to tuck the Wrapper over the ends of a package in said pocket, a folding chute, and meansfor moving the packages one at a time from said tumble box into said chute, said chute having stationary folders operative to make all the other folds necessary to complete the wrapping of the ends of the package.

In a wrapping machine, the combination of a tumble box having diametrically opposed pockets each constructed to receive a package with a. Wrapper partially folded about it, a slide carried by the tumble box, a. vlate mounted on each end of said slide, said lates forming the bottoms of the respective pockets, and tivo end tuckers car ried by each of said plates. I

8. In a Wrapping machine, the combination of a tumble box having pockets each constructed to receive a package with a Wrapper partially folded about it and with a wrapper tiap extending out of the tumble box, a receiver, means for pushing the packages from the pockets of the tuinfilc bok into the receiver one at a time, and means cooperating with a member carriial by the tumble box to pinch said Hap vieldingly while the package is being pushed out of the tumble box into said receiver.

9. In a 'Wrapping machine, the combination of a tumbie box having pockets each constructed to receive a package with a Wrapper partially folded .about it, and with a Wrapper dap extending out of the tumble box, a receiver, means for pushing the packages from the pockets of the tumble box into the receiver one at a time, and a yieldingly supported member 135 coperating with a part of the tumble box to pinch said flap'and stretch it While the package is being pushed out of the tumble box into said receiver.

`10. In an apparatus of the class described, a ltumble box, means for conveying packages to said tumble box, means on said tumble box for completely Wrapping two sides of the package and a part of the third side, means also on said tumble box for folding the projecting ends of one side down upon the ends of the package, and means coperating with the tumble box for wrapping the fourth side.

11. In an apparatus of the class described, a tumble box, means for conveying packages to the tumble box, means on said tumble box for completely wrapping two sides of the package and a part of a third side, means on said tumble box for folding the projecting ends of one side down upon the ends of the package, means coperating with the tumble box for wrapping the fourth side, a receiver or folder, means for transferring the packages from the tumble box to the receiver or folder, and means to complete the wrapping of the third side while the package is bein Vtransferred from the tumble box to the fol er.

12. In an apparatus of the class described, a tumble box, means for conveying packages to the tumble box, means on said tumble box for completely wrapping two sides of the packages and a part of a third side, means also on said tumble box for folding the projecting ends of one side down upon the ends of the package, means coperating with the tumble box for wrapping the fourth side, a receiver or folder, means for `transferring the packages from the tumble box to the receiver or folder, and means to complete the wrapping of the third side and to fold the projecting ends of the wra. per of the side opposite to the folded ends a ove mentioned down upon tho ends of the package while the package is bein transferred from the tumble box to the fol er.

13. In an apparatus of the class described, a tumble box, means for conveying packages to the tumble box, means on said tumble box for completely wrapping two sides of the packages and a part of a third side, means also on said tumble box for folding the projecting ends of one side down upon the ends of the package, means coperating with the tumble box for wrapping the fourth side, a receiver or folder, means for transferring the packages from the tumble box to the receiver or folder, means to complete the Wrapping of the third side and to fold the projecting ends of the wrapper of the side opposite to the folded ends above mentioned down upon the ends of the packa e while the pac age is being transferred rom the tumble box to the folder, means on said folder to complete the folding ofthe wrapper u on the ends of the package, and means also t ereon for sealing said wrapper.

14. Inan apparatus of the class d scribed, a tumble box, means for conveying packages to the tumble box, means on said tumble box for completely wrapping two sides of the packages and a part of a third side, means also -on said tumble box for folding the projecting ends of one side down upon the ends of the. package, means coperating with the tumble box for wrapping the fourth side, a receiver or folder, means for transferring thepackages from the tumble box to the receiver or folder, means to complete the wrapping of the third side, and to fold the projecting ends of the Wrapper of the side opposite to the folded ends above mentioned down upon the ends of the ackage while the package is being transfiirred from the tumble box to the folder thereby forming an upper and a lower fold projecting from the ends of the-package, means on said folder for folding the lower fold upwardly, and a sealing means on said folder adapted to simultaneously fold the upper fold downwardly and to seal the wrapper upon the package.

15., In anafiparatus of the class described, incombination, a tumble box, means for conveying packages to the tumble box, means associated with said tumble box for wrapping the paper around the package and partly folding the projecting ends of the wrapper, a receiver or folder to complete the folding of the projecting ends of the Wrapper, means for transferring the packages from the tumble box to the folder, a Sealing means on said folder, and a vertical adjusting means for said sealing means.

16. In an apparatus of the class described, in combination, a tumble box, means for conveying packages to the tumble box, means associated with said tumble box for wrapping the paper around the package and partly folding the projecting endsl of the Wrapper, a receiver or folder to complete the folding of the projecting ends of the Wrapper, means for transferring the packages from the tumble box to the folder, a sealing means on said folder, a vertical adjusting means for Said sealing means and means for allowing the sealing means'to be raised out of contact with the packages should the machine be stopped for any reason.

17. In an apparatus for wrapping and sealing packages, a tumble box,l means for conveying packages to the tumble box, a receiver or folder, means for conveying the packages from the tumble box to the folder, means on the tumble box and folder for wrapping and folding the wrapper upon the ackage, and a heat sealin means on said folder adapted to be raise will.

18. In a wrapping machine, the combination of a conveyor, a package chute positioned adjacent to the end of said conveyor and arranged to receive packages from the. conveyer, a. pair of parallel arms movable about stationary pivots, links connecting the free ends of said arms, a pusher supported by said links having a part operative to push the packagesinto the chute and another part serving as a stop for the packand lowered at Y ages moved toward said chute by the conveyer, and means for raising and lowering said arms.

19. In a machine for wrapping and sealing packages in a Wrapper containing a readily fusible substance, a folding chute comprising a member having a heating chamber, said member being positioned to engage the top of a package movedthrough said chute and having parts positioned to engage the ends of the package whereby the heat of Said member will melt said substance in the overlapping flaps at the top and ends of the package.

20. In a machine for wrapping and sealing packages in a wrapper containing a readily fusible substance, a folding chute comprising a member having a heating chamber therein, and parts projecting from said member constructed to make the last fold on the ends of a package pushed through said chute whereby the heat of said member will melt said substance in the overlapping laps at the top and ends of the package.

2l. In an apparatus for wrapping and sealing packages in a Wrapper containing a readily fusible substance, a receiver or folder for said packages comprising a heat ,sealing means having a chamber therein through which a heating fluid is adapted to circulate to seal the top of the package and means on vsaid heat Sealing means projecting downwardly therefrom for making the last fold on the ends of the packaffe and for sealing the same, said heat sealing means being adapted to be vertically adjusted out of contact with said package.

2Q. In a machine for wrapping and sealing packages in a wrapper containing a readily fusible substance, a folding chute including folders operative to make the last fold at each end 0f a package, and means for heating said folders to cause them to fuse the substance in the overlapping wrapper flaps at the opposite ends of the package and thereby seal said fla s together.

In testimony whereof I a X my signature in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

MILFORD B. FERGUSON.

Witnesses:

WM. BOHLEBER, M. LAWSON DIER.

i ages moved toward said lchute by the con-l veyer, .and means for raising andloweri'ng said arms.

19. In a machine for wrapping and sealyin'g packages in a Wrapper containing a readily fusible substance, affolding chute comprising a member having a heating chamber, said member being positioned to engage the top of a package movedthrough vsaid chute and having parts positioned to p engage the ends of the package whereby the readily fusible substance, a folding chute Correction Ain Letters Patent N-o.i1,1487-,055.

comprising al member lhaving a heating chamber therein, and parts projecting from said member constructed to make the last fold on the ends of a package pushed through said chute whereby the heat of said member will melt said substance in the overlapping flaps at the top and 'ends of the package.

21. In an apparatus for wrapping andsealing packages in a wrapper containing a [sinn] readily fusible substance, a receiver or folder for said packages comprising a heat .sealing means having a chamber therein through which a heating fluid is adapted to circulate to seal the top of the package and means on .said heat sealing means projecting downwardly therefrom for making the last fold on the ends of the package and for sealing ythe same, said heat sezing means being adapted to-be vertically adjusted out of contact with said package.

22. In a machine for wrapping and sealing packages in a wrapper containing a readily fusible substance, ar folding chute including folders operative to make the last vfold at each end vof .a package, and means for heating said lfolders to cause them to vfuse the substance in the overlapping Wrapper iaps at the opposite ends ofy the package and thereby seal said fizps together.

In testimony whereof I ya x my signature in the' presence of two subscribing witnesses.

`MILFORD B. FERGUSON.

`Witnesses:

WM. BOHLEBER, M. LAWSON DYER.

It is' hereby certified that'i'n lLettera Patent No. 1,187,055, granted June `13,

1916, upon the application of Milford BFerguson, of. Brooklym'New York, for an improvement in Wrapping and Sealing Machines, an error appears in the printed the sentence The sealing means fis adjustable upwardly and downwardly by set ,screw 146:.; and that the said Letters Patent should l be rread with' this correction therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Office:

signed alla sealed this 25th day pf July, A. D., 1916.

F. W. ri. CLAY, i Acting Commissioner of Patents.

specification requiring correction as follows: Page 6, line 119, afterthe period insert f It is hereby certified that in Letters Patent No. 1,187,055, granted June 13,

1916, upon the application of Milford B. Ferguson, of Brooklyn, New York, for an improvement in Wrapping and Sealing Machines," an error appears in the printed specification requiring correction es follows:` Page 6, line 119, after the period insert the sentence The sealing means is adjustable upwardly and downwardly by set screw 146'.; and that the seid Letters Patent should be read with this correction therein that the seme may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Office.

Signed and sealed this 25th day of July, A. D., 1916.

[sinn] F. W. H. CLAY,

Acting Uomfniss'ioner of Patente. C1. 93-7. 

